ABSTRACT
Background: Noise in hospitals can negatively affect users. Guideline noise levels for hospital wards are stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a South African National Standard (SANS). Studies show that few hospitals comply with the guidelines but limited research in South Africa means that conditions in local hospitals are unknown. The objective of this pilot study was to compare measured noise levels with guideline and perceived noise levels in general hospital wards. Methods: Measured and perceived noise levels were assessed; using data obtained from sound level meter readings and questionnaires; respectively; in four hospitals.Results: None of the hospitals complied with the guidelines; with an average Leq;24hr of 53.4 dBA. Yet; most users did not perceive the environment to be excessively noisy. At two of the hospitals it emerged that noise is more disturbing for staff than for patients.Conclusions: The results did not yield the predicted perceptions of noise in hospitals. Further research on a larger sample is required to confirm findings; particularly pertaining to the difference in perceptions between staff and patients